In this study, we examined associations between university lecturers' perceived autonomy support (PAS), adaptability, organisational commitment, and psychological wellbeing. A sample of university lecturers (N = 102) from a single ex-polytechnic higher education institution in the United Kingdom completed validated scales for each construct in the…

In the UK, a default retirement age no longer exists and more people choose to 'stay on' in their academic posts. 'Staying on' poses opportunities and threats in the academic labour market. Older academics can make a positive contribution to their institution through their expertise and experience. By continuing to work, paying tax and keeping…

The promotion and progression of black and minority ethnic academics and teachers in England has been the subject of much debate. Although several theories have been put forward, racial equality has stood out as a major contributing factor. The experiences of black and minority ethnic academics and teachers in England are similar in terms of…

This study of emeritus professors at an English university aims to stimulate debate about their professional and leisure activities in retirement, how much use they make of their university's facilities and how much use their universities make of them. It reveals that about half remain very happily active in teaching and research, though not…

This examination of the higher education landscape now shifts to consider the relationship between the university and the teaching profession. The intention of this chapter is to focus on pre-service teacher education to examine how professional identity and university curriculum have become managed. This chapter will introduce the conception of…

This book was written across a period of intense turmoil and change in higher education in Australia and England. The authors are deeply unsettled by these changes and wish to open up the discussion about what it means to be an academic and engage in academic work in the 21st century. Accordingly, each of the authors has nominated a theme or lens…

The work of academics has intensified, but the focus for most remains on teaching, research and contribution to service. Institutional imperatives and positioning within universities impact significantly on how individual academics fashion themselves to fit with expectations and demands. There is, of course, no simple version of scholarly identity…

Catholic universities need to develop strong Catholic identities. Yet, equally pressing is the need to welcome and value non-Catholic scholars, including their contributions to the university's Catholic mission and their critical assessments of the Catholic tradition. Blessed John Henry Newman embodies both Catholic faithfulness and exemplary…

The effects of trade union membership on faculty attitude toward university governance are analyzed with attention directed to faculty concepts of the university as an employer. An attempt is made to forecast the inevitable consequences of the growth of academic trade union activity, the factors that influence that growth, and the shift in…

In order for a college to thrive in the education/training situation likely to prevail in the 1990s, it may need to move from its existing management structure--which is probably hierarchical--to an alternative management structure. A hierarchical structure has some strengths, such as a clear delineation of responsibilities, the division of work…